Canon
EOS R6 Mark II
Versatile 24.2MP full-frame hybrid with class-leading AF and 4K 60p video.
$2,499
Released Nov 2022
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Z8 is 6 months newer.
Wins
EOS R6 Mark II
Wins
Z8
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS R6 Mark II has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 180 frames)
- AEOS R6 Mark II has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 40 fps)
- AEOS R6 Mark II has higher Battery life (CIPA) (760 shots vs 340 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS R6 Mark II
138 × 98 × 88 mm
680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
EOS R6 Mark II is 6mm narrower and 20mm shorter than Z8 but it is also 5mm thicker.
EOS R6 Mark II is 140 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS R6 Mark II · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
EOS R6 Mark II
138 × 98 mm
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
EOS R6 Mark II
138 × 88 mm
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
EOS R6 Mark II
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS R6 Mark II
✓ more lensesCanon RF
105+
native lenses available
Z8
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
The verdict
The $1500 price gap separates a 24.2MP hybrid from a high-resolution 45.7MP model capable of internal 8K raw video.
Choose the Canon EOS R6 Mark II if you prioritize battery life and handheld stability, as it delivers 760 CIPA shots and 8 stops of image stabilization. At 670g, it is also the lighter option for photographers who value portability.
Choose the Nikon Z8 if you require professional video performance and extreme low-light focus, utilizing a stacked sensor for 3600Mbps bitrates and autofocus sensitive to -10 EV. It is the superior choice for high-resolution 8K production and tracking complex subjects like airplanes.
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS R6 Mark II
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.4, 98.4, 88.4
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
760 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better
AF points / zones
1053 vs 493 — higher is better
AA filter
Only EOS R6 Mark II supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Horses, Motorbikes, Aircraft
Reasons to choose
Z8
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -6.5 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 180 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 40 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS R6 Mark II
Pros
- ✓Up to 40fps electronic burst
- ✓4K 60p oversampled from 6K
- ✓Dual Pixel CMOS AF II — superb subject tracking
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓Fully articulating touchscreen
Cons
- –24.2MP may feel limiting for large prints
- –No CFexpress on base body
- –Short battery life vs. A7 IV
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, EOS R6 Mark II or Z8?
EOS R6 Mark II scores 7.5/10 versus 4.5/10 for Z8 — 680g — manageable for travel.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS R6 Mark II and Z8?
EOS R6 Mark II is 24.2 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS R6 Mark II and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
EOS R6 Mark II has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R6 Mark II or the Z8?
EOS R6 Mark II reaches 40 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS R6 Mark II and Z8?
EOS R6 Mark II weighs 680 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the EOS R6 Mark II is 140 g lighter.
Do the EOS R6 Mark II and Z8 record 4K video?
EOS R6 Mark II: 4K up to 60p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS R6 Mark II and Z8 weather sealed?
EOS R6 Mark II: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 760 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R6 Mark II and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the EOS R6 Mark II the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS R6 Mark II launched at $2,499 and Z8 at $3,999. The EOS R6 Mark II is $1,500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.